When you drive off the lot of the car dealership in your brand-new car, you have every right and every reason to expect that vehicle to be in perfect working order. As too many consumers have learned however, this is not always the case. In far too many cases, a consumer learns in the weeks and months that follow the purchase or lease of a new car that they have purchased a “lemon” – a car with a defect, or multiple defects, that simply cannot be properly repaired.
Fortunately both Alaska State Law and Federal Law provide protection to consumers who purchase “lemons.” Between the Alaska Lemon Law and the Federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (sometimes called the “Federal Lemon Law”), citizens in the State of Alaska have many important rights and remedies if they received a “lemon” instead of a wonderful new car.
Covered Vehicles
Generally speaking, the Alaska Lemon Law covers consumer vehicles. Specifically, this means that the Alaska Lemon Law covers motor vehicles that are primarily used for personal, family, or household use. The law only applies to vehicles required to be registered in Alaska and does not apply to tractors, other farm vehicles or other off-road vehicles. Further, the Alaska Lemon Law does not apply to most used cars. However, the Federal Lemon Law extends to all consumer products which are sold with a warranty – including vehicles that are not covered by the Alaska Lemon Law as well as other consumer goods such as household appliances and electronics. If your new car is suffering from problems or defects, whether safety related or otherwise, an experienced Alaska Lemon Law Attorney at Krohn & Moss, Ltd. Consumer Law Center® can help you to determine whether to seek relief under the Alaska Lemon Law, the Federal Lemon Law or both.
Reasonable number of repair attempts
If a manufacturer sells or leases you a new car which qualifies as a “lemon” under the Alaska Lemon Law, its primary duty is to repair the vehicle. It is often the case, however, that the problems cannot truly be repaired – they continue to recur, or additional problems continue to develop. Thus, a consumer is entitled to relief once he has allowed the manufacturer a “reasonable number of repair attempts.”
Under the Alaska Lemon Law, you are presumed to have given the manufacturer a reasonable chance to repair the car if the manufacturer has tried and failed to fix the same problem three (3) or more times, or if the total repair time for all the qualifying defects extends to thirty (30) or more business days, which need not all be in a row.
After the automobile manufacturer has been provided with “a reasonable number of repair attempts,” the consumer must then provide the manufacturer with written notice and one (1) final opportunity to repair the defect(s). The notice must be sent by certified mail and must meet certain technical requirements. In addition, if the manufacturer has established a government-approved arbitration or mediation procedure, the consumer must participate in this program before bringing suit. An experienced Alaska Lemon Law Lawyer at Krohn & Moss, Ltd. Consumer Law Center® can help you to navigate these requirements without compromising your rights and claims.
Available Remedies
If a manufacturer fails to comply with its obligations under the Alaska Lemon Law, it then must either repurchase or replace the vehicle, whichever the consumer chooses. If the consumer elects to have the manufacturer repurchase the vehicle, then the manufacturer must pay the full, original price of the vehicle, including all fees such as registration and transportation fees, dealer-installed options and dealer preparation, but may deduct a reasonable mileage allowance, as defined by the law, for the consumer’s use of the vehicle. Under certain circumstances, the consumer may be entitled to additional compensation as well. If the consumer elects a replacement vehicle, the Alaska Lemon Law requires the manufacturer to provide a comparable new vehicle.
Call Krohn & Moss, Ltd. Consumer Law Center® or submit your information to us online to see if you qualify for relief under the state or federal lemon law. You may be entitled to a refund, a replacement vehicle or cash compensation for your “sour lemon.” Over 99% of our cases settle without going to trial and we will work diligently to get your claim settled as quickly as possible.
We have handled thousands of claims for both lemon automobiles and consumer products.
And work with Alaska attorneys associated with Krohn & Moss, Ltd. Consumer Law Center® in of-counsel relationships to handle lemon law claims for consumers in Alaska. We stay informed of the newest legal developments so we can get you the best results for your lemon law claim.
